The Daisy Oak Foundation has donated educational materials to 50 students selected from three different schools in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Its Founder, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana said the outreach combined practical health education with the distribution of essential maternal, menstrual and learning supplies to the students
She noted that the outreach was done in partnership with Primary Healthcare Centre, Sabon Gari and Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria – FCT Chapter implemented the MotherCare Community Outreach Programme in Sabon Gari, Bwari Abuja.
Ogunlana explained that the outreach was aimed at addressing interconnected health, dignity and education needs among women, adolescent girls and children in an underserved community.
She stated: “Working with community representatives, health personnel, civil society partners and volunteers, the Foundation created a safe and supportive space where participants received information on nutrition, personal hygiene, maternal wellbeing and menstrual health.
“Essential supplies were then distributed to help beneficiaries put the lessons into practice and meet immediate household needs.
“The programme directly supported 30 pregnant, nursing or newly delivered mothers, 64 adolescent girls and more than 30 children.”
The Founder noted that beyond the items distributed, the outreach promoted informed choices, strengthened community participation and reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to healthier families, empowered girls and improved learning opportunities for children.
She explained that women, girls and children in many underserved communities continue to face barriers to essential health information and basic supplies.
According to her, Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers may struggle to access nutritious foods and maternal-care items; adolescent girls can miss school or experience discomfort and embarrassment because of limited menstrual products or misinformation; and children’s learning may be affected by a lack of simple educational materials.
Ogunlana added: “The MotherCare Community Outreach Programme was designed as a practical response to these overlapping challenges.
“Its integrated approach recognised that maternal wellbeing, menstrual dignity, nutrition and education are closely linked to the health and stability of families.
“By bringing education and material support together in one community-based intervention, the programme addressed immediate needs while encouraging healthier practices that can continue beyond the event.”
Ogunlana said the overall goal was to improve the health, dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable women, girls and children through practical education, counselling and the distribution of essential supplies.
She stressed that it also aimed at improving participants’ knowledge of nutrition, maternal care, personal hygiene and general wellbeing.
The founder said it also aimed at equipping adolescent girls with accurate menstrual-hygiene information and appropriate menstrual products.
On her part, the Officer in Charge (OIC) FCT Primary Healthcare Center – Sabon Gari, Mrs. Comfort Nuhu highlighted the importance of adequate nutrition to maternal health, child development and overall community wellbeing.